Bridle-bit attachment



(No Modl.)

I. N. LILLY. BRIDLE BIT ATTACHMENT.

1%. 367,416. Patented-Aug. 2, 1887.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ISAAC N. LILLY, or CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

BRlDLE-BIT ATTACHMENT.

sPncIPIcATIoN'ronnm part of Letters Patent No. 367,416, dated August 2, 1887.

Application filed April 26, 1887. Serial No. 236,244. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, IsAAo N. LILLY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Ohicago,in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Bit Attachment, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to a device for attachment to bits used in the management and drivin g of horses, and relates more particularly to devices to prevent the animals tongue from lolling from its month while being driven,and the employment ofsnch devices in a manner to prevent worry or injury to the animal. I attain these objects by the mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which I Figures 1, 2, and 3 are perspective views of my device attached to various forms of bits; and Figs; 4 and 5 are side and perspective views, respectively, of the device detached.

Similar letters refer tosimilar parts through-' out the specification and drawings,in which- A is a bit of any ordinary construction. B B are wings or arms, which may be constructed of wire, steel, or iron plate, or hard rubber.

O is a spring-clasp adapted to encircle the bar or mouth-piece of a bit, said clasp being rigidly connected to the inner ends of the Wings or arms B B by brazing or otherwise, said arms extending in opposite directions in the same plane. The clasp O is soformed as to almost surround the bit, leaving a central opening, through which the bit passes, and where the ends of the clasp are attached to the wings or arms such ends are brought close to each other, forming a' hoop or ring. The form of the clasp tends to keep it in position on the bit,and at the same time making its re moval by hand a very easy matter. This feature is important, as it allows the use of the same attachment upon any bit.

In operating the device it is only necessary to press the wings or arms 13 Bbackward or in the direction opposite to the opening in the spring-clasp, thereby causing such opening to widen sufliciently to allow of the passage of the bit, when the force of the spring is allowed to act on the wings or arms, bringing them back to their normal position and securely attaching the device to the bit. The bit is then placed in the animals month over the tongue and in such position that the opening in the spring-clasp will be upward, thereby increasing its hold upon the bit by reason of the upward movement upon the ends of the wings or arms by the tongue of the animal.

It will be observed by reference to the drawings that the bit projects slightly above the upper face of the wings or arms, thereby preventing contact of the endsof the spring-clasp with'the hard palate of the mouth and preventing injury thereto. I have shown two attachments applied to a snaffie-bit, which may be used in exceptional cases to support both sides of the tongue-that is, when a horse is in the habit of carrying his tongue over the bit. WVhensuch habit has been cured, one attachment only will be required.

I do not wish to limit myself to the exact form shown or to a particular material, as I may change either without departing from the spirit of my invention.

Having fully described'my invention, what I desire to claim, and secure by Letters Patent, 1s-

1. A removable bit attachment consisting of the oppositely-extending wings or arms and a central spring-clasp adapted to engage the mouth-piece of a bit, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. In a removable bit attachment, the c0mbination, with the wings or arms 13 B, of a cen' tral clasp, O, the ends of which are rigidly connected to the inner ends of wings or arms B B, said ends forming a space for the admission of the bar of a bit, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

ISAAC N. LILLY.

' Witnesses:

ORRIN M. WELLs, EDGAR '1. PAUL. 

